Polycarp Sola -Abakaliki
The Labour Party (LP) in Ebonyi State has sided with the Federal Government of Nigeria in its bid to ensure proper handling of the 774 local government funds across the country, as well as its recognition as a third-tier government with autonomy off the state government.
This came ahead of the local government election in the state, slated for July 20th, for which the party has called on its members to boycott the process, describing it as a selection of the state government rather than an election, reflecting the will of the people at the grassroots level.
Recall that the Federal Government had dragged the 36 state governors to the Supreme Court over alleged misconduct in the handling of local government affairs.
Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation, instituted the action against the governors to seek full autonomy for local governments as the third tier of government.
Representing the state chairman, Mr. Splendor Eze, at a stakeholder meeting held in Abakaliki, the state capital, the acting publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Innocent Igiri, stated that granting autonomy to the local government would strengthen the election process and provide a level playing field for all political parties involved.
“Local government elections in Nigeria today could be said to be a selection, not an election. The Labor Party would not take part in such selection processes and activities.
“We are encouraging the attorney general of the federation to continue what he is doing to get the governor’s to implement the part of the law that gives local government autonomy and also to make it a law for INEC to conduct local government elections; that is when we will be proud to participate in the elections.” Mr. Igiri stated:.